Several private sector groups and government agencies signed on Wednesday a manifesto establishing a partnership project seeking to generate 1 million jobs this year amid the pandemic.
The collaboration between the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) Task Force and the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) aims to support the government’s employment recovery plan following the recent surge in joblessness.
“The project aims to immediately source Filipino talents for deployment in the construction, manufacturing [particularly semiconductors and electronics], tourism and hospitality, and export industries, under a policy environment that would help create jobs all over the country,” the manifesto reads.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez welcomed the partnership, saying this will help the country in making its way toward recovery. “This is a big boost in our work at the NERS Task Force in bringing back lost employment and reinvigorating the labor market with increased economic activities,” he said.
Under the partnership, the business sector is tasked in identifying job vacancies, seeking job opportunities for qualified but unemployed individuals and holding job caravan events.
The private sector groups shall recommend proposals to improve the business environment to the NERS Task Force. This, in addition to providing assistance in post-job caravan events, including onboarding process, vaccination process and reskilling or upskilling referrals.
The business sector is also tasked to “provide other support and monitoring mechanisms in the implementation of the project.”
The NERS Task Force, meanwhile, will facilitate coordination in securing vaccines for qualified workers and provide the profile of workers eligible to apply. It will also work with relevant stakeholders in conducting job fairs.
The task force shall coordinate and provide assistance to the business sector, especially on matters relating to improving job generation. It shall work with the local government units as on the provision of transportation services to workers who will receive their vaccination.
The government agencies are responsible for the continued implementation of the Telecommuting Act and other measures promoting alternative work arrangements.
It is also the duty of the task force to provide trainings for employees not qualified for the job vacancies.
Lopez, on behalf of the NERS Task Force, vowed to deliver on their duties and responsibilities under the partnership.
“Through our efforts, we will provide the needed jobs and employment our people need—not only to survive the present pandemic, but to thrive and gain a more comfortable and better quality of life in the post-pandemic future,” he added.
Apart from DTI, the signatories from the government include the Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Transportation, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism and Commission on Higher Education.
Joining ECOP for the private sector are the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, Philippine Constructors Association, Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. and Semiconductor and Electronic Industries in the Philippines Inc.